Sunday 22nd June 2008 @ Bierkeller, Bristol
With Support From: Exit Calm

A Sunday night at Bristol’s infamous rock venue, The Bierkeller, and it is at full capacity. Everyone is there for one reason; to see The Music’s first gig in Bristol for four years! A positive atmosphere can be sensed and excitement is at a high, can The Music deliver a great comeback?

First up supporting are a band called Exit Calm. As an ambience setter, the venue has lit the band with the brightest blue lights they could possibly find set right behind them. The intended ambience was slightly misplaced as all this meant was that the crowd were blinded throughout the whole set and still have no idea what the band look like - we came to see a band perform not a shadow puppet show! That said the music coming from that band onstage was fairly lacklustre. All of their tracks seem to sound way too similar for us. That’s not to say Exit Calm are not a very talented band as they really are but their music never seems to really take off. As support acts go these guys did not get the crowd fired up with their elevator soft rock. The Music are going to have to pull out all the stops to get us all going.

Luckily enough the lighting has been adjusted for The Music’s set, as bright lights and strobes start flashing all over the stage the band members take up their positions. They make no delay in getting the crowd singing and dancing as they start their set with the first single they released, Take The Long Road And Walk It. You would not be blamed for disbelieving that this band has been out of action for four years, as they deliver track after track of musically perfect anthem rock which has truly got the crowd dancing.

With a few tracks from the newly released album Strength In Numbers sprinkled along the set list the band show no signs of slowing things down. The title track and new single of the same name is probably the weakest track on the album but is taken to a new level when performed live. Crowd favourites and former singles The People and Freedom Fighters were chanted along to with roaring approval. Also the epic and spine chillingly heart-felt lyrics of Getaway was a true highlight of the evening.

The stage is dominated by The Music’s infinitely energetic lead singer Rob Harvey. His trademark light footed dancing shows just how much this guy loves his bands songs. His dancing is a very true expression of his enjoyment and appreciation of what he does and the crowd’s reactions to their current body of work to date. To match his dancing is his equally unique and powerful vocals which really captivates the audience and separates this band from many others that are currently on the music scene.

The last song of the set is the floor filler from their second album Welcome To The North, but is finished off with all four band members taking up role of drummer. As they each perform with bongos and free standing drums to fill the room with a marching beat to leave our ears ringing but wanting more.

With such a strong band name to live up to, these guys certainly are The Music after tonight and they have returned with a vengeance.

www.themusic.co.uk

Stu Freeman & Jason Ward